Chapter 6

Samantha made her way to the humongous Pewter City Gym. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she read the sign on the door:

"Gym Leader Has Gone on a Journey. See Flint."

Samantha uneasily open the large, stone doors with all her might. Opening the doors should have been part of the test, they're so heavy! Once open, she peered into the darkness of the seemingly empty Gym.

"He—Hello? Is there a 'Flint' here?"

The lights in the Gym snapped on. Flint stood there in all his mightiness…

"Are you to challenge for the Boulderbadge?" he barked.

"YES I AM!" Samantha barked back bravely. Boy, did she loathe bullies!

"Well you're in luck little lady," Flint said, "my son happens to be back in town today…you get to face him, instead of me."

Brock heard his cue and walked onto the battlefield. Samantha watched him, not taking an eye off him, as he prepared for battle. She would later learn that Brock had stopped by on his way back from some place called Valencia Island. He was heading towards Pallet Town to see Professor Oak, and just wanted to stop by to check on his family.

"This match will be a 2 on 2 battle to the end, no time limit!" Brock shouted across the way.

Samantha nodded in agreement. Judging by all the rocks around this place, this would be a cinch for Bobby.

"Go…ONIX!"

Brock's Pokémon came out of it ball roaring an intimidating roar.

Samantha smiled, as she knew she had the upper hand! "I choose you, Bobby!"

Bobby came out of his Poké Ball, with a determined look on his face. He probably didn't know this would be the easiest battle he'll ever have.

"Onix—GO! SLAM attack!" the leader cried out.

Bobby easily dodged the flying Onix as soon as it left the ground. Onix smacked down hard against the Gym floor.

"Bobby—RAZOR LEAF attack, now!" was Samantha's confident command.

The attack worked like a charm. The Rock/Ground Pokémon stood no chance against the sharp, rock-splitting leaves. Onix hit the floor in agony.

"Onix return!" Brock shouted.

"Guess your ROCK Pokémon are no match for Bobby, Brock!" Samantha said with overconfidence.

"One important lesson about Pokémon is to always expect the unexpected!" Brock shot back quickly as he reached for his next Poké Ball…

"Go—VULPIX!" Brock shouted.

"Vulpix!" the fire fox said after being released from its Poké Ball.

Samantha didn't expect a Fire-Type, but she was no fool either…

"Bobby…come back here!"

"Bulba! Bulbasaur, bulba!" it screamed.

Was he refusing? How embarrassing! How could this be happening to her—in a GYM BATTLE?!

"I admire its guts, but it sure lacks brains" was Brock's now overconfident comment.

"Vulpix—roast that weenie! FLAMETHROWER attack!"

Samantha gasped as the stream of flames came right towards her partner.

Just as the powerful attack was about to hit Bobby, the Bulbasaur pushed its lips together, and began to shake violently.

What Samantha would witness next, would forever change her relationship with Bobby. For at that very instant, a very powerful jet of water came out of the rare Bulbasuar's mouth. The water completely consumed every last flame, then the poor fire fox that was spitting them out. Vulpix fainted on the spot.

Both Samantha and Brock stood there awestruck. Brock called back Vulpix with his mouth wide open. Brock looked at Booby for a moment…

"Bulba?" the Bulbasaur uttered, wondering why everyone was staring at him.

Brock then smiled, and walked over to Bobby. After a moment of hesitation, he patted him on the head. Bobby responded to the kind touch with a smile of his own.

"I've seen this sort of thing before, you know. I noticed it when he first came out of his Poké ball," the wise Pokémon breeder admitted, "this is a very rare Bulbasaur. You can tell by this shiny, odd colored coat. You are very lucky to have Bobby as your partner, Samantha. I concede defeat…take this Boulderbadge. You are an excellent trainer!"

Samantha took the badge, still dumbfounded. Bobby and Samantha departed from the gym, after the wished Brock good luck on his journey to Pallet Town.

As they made their way towards Mt. Moon, Samantha looked down at Bobby. "Boy, I wonder what'll happen next."

"Bulba…" was Bobby's only reply.